Sibling relationships at work

Abstract

This article takes as its focus sibling relationships in the world of work using a perspective from a systems psychodynamics theory of organisations. In psychodynamic literature, lateral relationships seem to have received less interest and study in the past than oedipal (hierarchical) relationships and I wonder why this is. Currently, however, there is increased attention to lateral (sibling) relationships, perhaps because organisations – and social structures, and, in particular, issues of equality and parity – are under scrutiny. Our current coalition government in the UK (and indeed, the struggle between the Milibands for the leadership of the UK Labour Party) indicates their prominence. The article explores these relationships, using the work of Armstrong, Long and Bion among others, with examples from my work as an organisational consultant to illustrate my ideas. Using innovations from group relations work, I try to show how lateral relationships can be used creatively to extend our experiences of working in organisations and how these explorations may help us to think in different ways about issues of competition and collaboration in the workplace.